The island at the top of the world, Iceland will amaze you with its breathtaking landscapes and unique geology. The Eleven Day Odyssey brings you the best of this spectacular country—from chic Reykjavik to glaciers, volcanoes and Norse fishing villages.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Reykjavik
You will be greeted in Keflavik and assisted with baggage and customs.
Early morning arrival – Scenic tour of Reykjanes
If you are arriving early in the morning, then we would like to suggest having breakfast either in Keflavik, or at the Blue Lagoon. You might also choose a brief tour on the Reykjanes peninsula, visiting the Reykjanesviti Lighthouse and exploring the geothermal mud pots at Gunnuhver. Take a symbolic walk between America and Europe at the Bridge Between Continents. Then stop at the Blue Lagoon and enjoy the soothing water.
On arrival in Reykjavik City, do a bit of sightseeing, enjoying the views and the city center, perhaps stopping for coffee shop to relax after your journey.
Late afternoon arrival – Transfer to Reykjavik
Go directly to the Hotel Borg where you may freshen up and relax before dinner. Your guide will orient you on the major details in your itinerary and answer any questions you might have.
Welcome dinner at KOL Restaurant
Enjoy a welcome dinner at the KOL Restaurant on Skolavordustigur, in the city center. The menu will highlight Icelandic delicacies from land and sea.
About the Hotel Borg
The four-star Hotel Borg is a showcase of sophistication, combining old-fashioned elegance with modern style in the center or Reykjavik.Accommodation is in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities, and includes breakfast.
Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
After breakfast your guide will be waiting outside the hotel in a luxurious modified Super Truck. This vehicle can easily drive across mountains, on glaciers and black sand beaches. Begin your journey to the mystical Snæfellsnes peninsula. It has been named “Iceland in Miniature,” because many national sights can be found in the area, including the Snæfellsjökull volcano, one of the symbols of Iceland. At 4,800 feet, it is the highest mountain on the peninsula and has a glacier at its peak (jökull means “glacier” in Icelandic). The volcano can be seen on clear days from Reykjavík. The mountain was also the setting of Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
We will stop for lunch at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes then continue towards the Snaefellsnes peninsula. This scenic environment has volcanic craters, pseudo craters, and multiple colors in the mountains which range from deep black to bright red, giving the environment a distinct look.
Optional activity: Riding the Icelandic horse on Löngufjörur Beach
Ride along the smooth beaches of Löngufjörur in the saddle of an Icelandic horse, which was brought by the Vikings. Often compared to the horse of the Mongol warriors of Ghengis Kahn, the Icelandic horse is one inch taller than a pony, extremely strong and was the main form of transport in Iceland for more than 1200 years.
We will then check-in at Hotel Búðir and enjoy dinner there.
About the Hotel Búðir (Two Nights)*
This elegant four-star hotel is located on the edge of the Snaefellsjokull National Park and has a charming atmosphere, great service, and a restaurant renowned for its exquisite cuisine. Accommodation is in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities, and includes breakfast.
Day 3 – Snæfellsnes National Park & Glacier – Vatnshellir Cave
After breakfast, we will drive on mountain paths and then off-road to the Snæfellsjokull glacier. Snæfellsjökull is a 700,000-year-old stratovolcano with a glacier covering its summit. You will actually be able to touch the glacier. Then there will be a private tour inside a lava tube at Vatnshellir Cave, which was created in a volcanic eruption some 8,000 years ago. The cave is split into two sections, the upper and lower half. On the upper half there are impressive features and unique formations of lava statues. We will then go down to the lower half using a narrow staircase and find an area hidden for thousands of years.
Then we’ll descend the mountain and journey to Hellnar, an ancient fishing village, and take a beautiful 30-minute hike through a stunning lava field to Fjöruhúsið Restaurant, where we will have lunch before driving to Djupalonssandur Bay and on to the fishing village of Olafsvik. At Bjarnarhofn farm, the family has been hunting shark for centuries. Should you wish, you may brave a taste of the distinctive meat. Then we’ll continue to Stykkisholmur for a harborside dinner at Narfeyrarstofa restaurant, before returning to the hotel.
Day 4: Snaefellsnes – Uxahryggir – Thingvellir
After breakfast we will journey toward the South coast, driving through Borgarnes, entering the Hvalfjordur fjord bottom, stopping by the last remaining whaling station in Iceland. Then we’ll continue across Uxahryggir mountain road, entering the Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is at the northern end of Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. There we will view the tectonic drift of the North American plate from the Eurasian plate across the historic park. This geological phenomenon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will spend the night and have dinner at the ION Hotel.
About the ION Hotel (One Night)
Each room in the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel is carefully decorated in inimitable Icelandic style with floor to ceiling windows so that guests can fully appreciate the magnificent view possible of the unique Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant or across the lava fields towards Thingvellir National Park. Accommodation is in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities, and includes breakfast. Free WiFi is included both inside the rooms and in public area. Every room has fair-trade organic linens and a large bathroom with a powerful environmentally friendly shower and soaps and lotions from Sóley Organics.
Day 5: Gullfoss and Geysir
After breakfast we will drive across the Ljosafoss station, crossing the Olfusa River, then onward by Lake Laugarvatn to the Geysir hot spring area. Strokkur (Icelandic for “churn”) erupts about every 4 to 8 minutes, sometimes up to 130 feet. It was the first geyser described in print and the first known to modern Europeans. Then we’ll continue to beautiful Gullfoss waterfall.
Optional Activity: Rafting on the Hvítá River
Difficulty level is tailored to everyone’s needs. All wet suits and helmets provided. We recommend warm clothes such as fleece sweaters, thermal underwear and either waterproof shoes or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Remember to bring extra clothing and a towel!
After Gullfoss, we will check in to the Hotel Ranga, and enjoy a relaxing dinner.
About the Hotel Ranga (Three Nights)|
Hotel Ranga is a countryside hotel and the only four-star resort in South Iceland. It offers all the facilities and services of a modern hotel. The hotel is built in a log cabin style and has an excellent reputation for its food, accommodation and service. Accommodation is in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities, and includes breakfast.
Day 6: Thórsmörk Nature Reserve
After breakfast, we will enjoy an all-day excursion in the magnificent to We drive into the Thórsmörk Nature Reserve, a mountain ridge named for the Norse god Thor. The area is perfect for hiking and we can easily adjust the difficulty to your level. We will bring lunch boxes and refreshments on the tour so you are free to stop at any time to relax.
We’ll return to the hotel with plenty of time to relax (perhaps in the Jacuzzi?) and enjoy dinner.
Day 7: Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
After an early breakfast, we’ll embark on an all-day tour, driving towards the East. We will make various stops along the way, hiking near Klauster and seeing the mighty waterfall Seljalandsfoss, then going to the Reynisfjara beach front, where the pillars Reynisdrangar loom. Over and through Vik village, we aim to have lunch in Kirkjubaejarklaustur. After lunch we’ll explore the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, then have the option of a private cruise on the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. There we will have the option of enjoying a private cruise on the lagoon.
After a full day of exploration, we’ll return to the hotel in time for a delicious and relaxing dinner.
Day 8: South Coast Exploration
Today is a day of relaxing after a big week. The plan is to enjoy the immediate surroundings, short drive and magnificent experience in hiking and climbing the Solheimajokull glacier. When we are ready after breakfast, we drive towards the Solheimajokull glacier, where our activity crew will have prepared everything to take us on a light glacial hike and allow us to engage in ice-climbing. The ice-climbing specialists will supply us with all the equipment we need, crampons, helmets and ice-axes. Then enjoy lunch at a nearby farm, Hotel Anna, before driving down to the South coast black beach and playing on Quad bikes on an adventurous route where we will see various places of interest.
We return back to Hotel Ranga in the evening for final dinner and last night on the south coast.
Day 9: Reykjavik via Blue Lagoon
With an easy itinerary ahead of us, we checkout and depart the Hotel Ranga after breakfast. Driving through the farmlands of the south coast, we will stop and have a nice lunch at the Red House restaurant in the village of Eyrarbakki. This cosy and celebrated restaurant is a must for lobster bisque and lamb, frequently reviewed as “the best lobster soup in the world!”
Afterwards we shall travel to the famed Blue Lagoon, where you will enjoy VIP access luxuriating in the rich mineral waters. Finally we will return to Reykjavik where you’ll enjoy dinner on your own before a restful night back at the Hotel Borg, where you’ll spend the final two nights of your adventure.
Day 10: Free day in Reykjavik
Today is totally yours, whether you choose a whale-watching tour, a return to the Blue Lagoon, or shopping for some unique Icelandic souvenirs.
Day 11: Departure
Private luxury transfer to the airport about 2.5 hours before your departure flight. We hope to see you again soon!
